Ever experienced the discomfort while watching a movie or a drama series, particularly in scenes that depict women, especially in sexually explicit contexts? Why does the seemingly “sexy” imagery on screen manage to stir up unease among viewers like us?
This is because what we see on screen has been produced, directed, and disseminated by heterosexual cissexual males, thereby channeling the “male gaze.” This perspective, prevalent in entertainment, especially in adult lesbian cinema, has left many questioning its intent—whether it’s tailored to cater to the desires of women who love women or to men.
Drenched in a male-centric viewpoint, the visuals often suffocate viewers with their focus on the female body. It’s about time we dissected this perspective, peeling back the layers of objectification and gendered portrayal it reinforces. Join us as we explore cinema, sexuality, and identity, aiming to dismantle norms and confront the status quo.
The term “male gaze,” coined by film theorist Laura Mulvey, implies the perspective of the male viewer. Despite sounding simplistic, this concept intricately weaves a subtle issue. Often, storytelling through the lens of the male gaze tends to objectify women, reducing them to mere objects rather than individuals. Women are solely there to enhance the visual appeal for male audiences. Take for instance the classic scenario of a woman being filmed from her legs to her chest, followed by a focus on her smiling face, catering to the male viewer’s desires. Another example is portraying female characters as unnecessarily provocative even when they’re dressed modestly.
An illustrative example is found in the music video “Long Distance” by Siam☆Dream. Although the concept doesn’t overtly center on sensuality and leans towards a more charming tone, several shots still unveil the idols’ lower legs. In one instance, a delicate tennis racket is playfully lifted near their backsides, despite having no connection to the narrative. This unmistakably highlights how viewing the female performers’ bodies through the male gaze serves as a demonstration of leveraging masculine influence to reduce someone to a mere object of attraction, irrespective of the creator’s intent.
Fetishizing Lesbian Love in Adult Films: Reducing Intimacy to the Male Gaze
The term “lesbian” ranks among the most-searched categories on porn sites like Pornhub (latest data as of 2021). While women loving women are, of course, consumers of this content, what’s intriguing is the added attention from men. What drives this curiosity among men to explore depictions of women in same-sex relationships?
This curiosity likely stems from the carefully crafted portrayal of lesbian relationships through the male gaze. This perspective caters remarkably well to the fantasies of male viewers, akin to how series about gay men often captivate lesbian audiences. Lesbian adult films, in essence, cater predominantly to male desires. The imagery of women in this media has been fetishized, creating the notion that lesbianism must be “hot” and eliminating genuine portrayals. It’s not uncommon to encounter scenes where sexual interactions between women are directed by men, featuring one side “dominating” and assuming the role of a “male” within the relationship, often involving props or toys. It’s important to note, however, that not every sexual encounter follows this pattern, and the idea that someone must be “active” and “passive” in any sexual interaction is a misconception.
Furthermore, in the typical 3P scenarios (featuring one man and two women) in porn, the female pair often portrays mutual affection. Whether it’s through hugging, kissing, fondling, or exploring each other’s bodies, these films occasionally go so far as to develop narratives and titles hinting that the male character engages in sexual activities with lesbians. This media consumption can evoke a sense of “triumph” in viewers who envision themselves as the male participant. The notion that hypothetically engaging in sexual encounters with women who love women implies acceptance resonates, even for those uninterested in heterosexual relationships.
Lesbian porn aimed at male audiences continue to be produced to cater to sexual desires, often laced with a sense of control and dominance, inevitably objectifying the women involved.
Ultimately, it’s become apparent that the gender identity of a specific group can be manipulated into a means of male gratification. These narratives endure not solely within porn but also in mainstream media. Eradicating this influence isn’t a simple task, but our course of action involves acknowledging the matter and continually urging ourselves to exercise discernment while engaging with media. Perhaps begin by asking yourself if you have ever taken a moment to reflect on how often you might have unknowingly succumbed to the allure of the male gaze?